Wednesday, August 18, 2010

We all know Ina Garten is a wonderful cooking teacher, but I learned something from her other than how to cook!!

Last Saturday I spent the day watching taped episodes of Barefoot Contessa shows, enjoying a nice quiet day.

Show after show I studied Ina’s kitchen. There were some elements that I absolutely loved. Her use of hotel silver, white platters and the way she has silverware housed in a clear glass holder on her counter. I love how she has herbs growing in white pots. I mean, after all, what is not to like about her fabulous kitchen?! What caught my attention and gave me some inspiration was her use of a clear glass holding silverware. Although this is not a new idea, or one that I have not seen before, today it struck a cord with me.

See the spoons in the clear glass jar next to the limes? That is what inspired me to do my knives in a clear glass container. You will also notice the small crocks with utensils in them. I like the look for Ina’s kitchen, but having my cooking utensils in a holder is just one step too much for me. I know it is a very fine line with me!! I struggle with this fine line all the time. It is a personal comfort level for me. I think we all have one and I think it is important to realize where your own personal comfort lies.

The inspiration hit!! I could bring in a touch of fall to my kitchen by adding my ivory Bakelite knives to a clear glass holder. I love the warmth that ivory Bakelite can bring to a table setting. I used it one year for a Thanksgiving table setting inspired by my friend Eddie Ross. You can see my knives in the below picture of my Tday table.

Putting anything on my counter can be real iffy for me because I like a pretty well edited counter top space. I got out a glass and put the knives in it, Hmmmm??!! I think I like it! Next I got out a solid white holder and Hmmmm??!! No, that is not it! Clear it will be.

My next step was to go thrifting to find the right holder. I knew it needed to be clear and at least six inces tall.

I found one!! It is simple and I like it. I am still going to look for a real vintage spooner, but for $2.99 I think I will enjoy this one just fine while I am still on the hunt!!

Inspiration can come in all forms and in all kinds of different places. Keep an open mind and when you see something that catches your eye, think of a creative way to apply it to your own space. I did! It is not spoons in a glass, but I chose to put knives in a holder and it works for my space and for my own personal design aesthetic!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Looking for inspiration in your surroundings and applying it to your own environment!